More Malaysians should come forward to support the Save Malaysia movement if they are wary if it being "controlled" by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah.

Maria made the call during a town hall session to engage critics of the Citizens' Declaration to oust prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, held at Petaling Jaya community library last night.

"This declaration does not belong to Mahathir or any of the signatories

"In any war, there can only be one enemy and I think we know who is the enemy," she told an audience over 100.

In acknowledging that Mahathir's role in the movement has raised concerns among critics, Maria said the former premier serves a purpose to reach out to the grassroots who were previously unexposed to the reform agenda.

"If we could reach out to the same grassroots, the outcome of GE13 (the last general election) would have been different.

"But we are not going to keep quiet and allow him to take over the whole agenda. We can take charge too," she stressed.

Maria also reassured that civil society leaders, with support from the people, would dictate the way forward for the Citizens' Declaration.

‘Umno blood, Kit Siang soul’

In the second town hall session organised by Bersih, six signatories of the declaration went face-to-face with their critics.

Besides Maria, on the panel were activist Hishamuddin Rais, Hakam president Ambiga Sreenevasan, C4 director Cynthia Gabriel, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and former Umno Batu Kawan deputy division chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

Gabriel similarly said the initial perception of Mahathir's involvement among civil society groups was not positive.

"The only way for Mahathir to not be the sole architect of this (declaration) is for us to come on board.

"There was even a proposal mooted to him and all present, for a civil society leader to also be in charge," she added.

Khairuddin, meanwhile, said the Citizens' Declaration was a call by the rakyat and for the rakyat, and not owned by Mahathir.

"Mahathir's criticisms of Najib had led many Umno grassroots to leave the party.

"Umno's blood runs in my veins, but my soul is (like) Lim Kit Siang...That was why I spoke out, went round the world to lodge police reports (against Najib)," he said.

‘Not Mahathir puppets’

Meanwhile Lim, who is Gelang Patah MP, urged the people to take the first step towards change, insisting none of them were “puppets of Mahathir".

Lim said he has been touring the country and has received overwhelming support for the movement.

"For the first time Mahathir was being accused of being my stooge.

"We are nobody's stooge. We are all independent minded, just like all of you, to know what is best for the country," said the veteran DAP leader.

The Citizens' Declaration was signed on March 4 and the initial 42 signatories include Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and former MCA president Ling Liong Sik.

The Citizens' Declaration is the basis of the ‘Save Malaysia’ movement, which is planning a gathering on March 27 at Shah Alam Convention Centre.

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